Peeling citrus fruit

ABSTRACT

PEELERS FOR CUTTING AND PEELING CITRUS FRUIT AND THE LIKE AND RELATED METHODS. EACH PEELER IS FORMED IN ONE PIECE AND HAS A HOLDING FLANGE ADAPTED TO BE GRIPPED BETWEEN THE FINGERS OF THE USER, A CUTTING PORTION HAVING A CUTTING EDGE, AND A DEPTH GAUGE FLANGE WHICH REGULATES THE DEPTH OF THE CUT MADE BY THE CUTTING EDGE. THE HOLDING FLANGE AND THE DEPTH GAUGE FLANGE ARE JOINED TO ONE ANOTHER BY A WEAKENED OR STRUCTURALLY LESS RESISTANT BEND LINE SO THAT IN ONE POSITION THE TWO FLANGES ARE LINEARLY CONTINUOUS WITH THE CUTTING EDGE BEING CLOSELY JUXTAPOSED THE OPPOSED FLANGES WHEREBY TE USER OF THE CITRUS FRUIT IS NOT ADVERTENTLY CUT, AND IN ANOTHER POSITION THE TWO FLANGES ARE ANGULAR WITH RESPECT TO EACH OTHER, THE CUTTING EDGE BEING SITUATED IN AN EXPOSED CUTTING POSITION. EACH PEELER MAY BE CONVENIENTLY RELEASABLY ATTACHED, AS BY BONDING, TO THE CITRUS FRUIT SO THAT THE PEELER AND CITRUS FRUIT MAY BE CONVENIENTLY SHIPPED, STORED OR CARRIED BY A PERSON. THE CONFIGURATION OF EACH PEELER IS ADAPTED TO MATCH THE EXTERIOR CONFIGURATIN OF THE FRUIT SO AS TO BE FLUSH THEREWITH WHEN ATTACHED THERETO.

y 4, 1972 L. J. MARTINSEN FEELING CITRUS FRUIT 2 Sheets-Sheet l File iFeb. 9, 1970 INVENTOR. LYLE J. MARTINSEN ATTO NEY FIG. IO

FIG. 9

y 4, 1972 J. MARTINSEN 3,674,503

FEELING CITRUS FRUIT Filed Feb. 9, 1970 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 H6. l8INVENTOR.

LYLE J. MARTINSEN ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,674,503 PEELING CITRUSFRUIT Lyle J. Martinsen, Murray, Utah, assignor to PracticalInnovations, Inc., Murray, Utah Filed Feb. 9, 1970, Ser. No. 9,804 Int.Cl. A231 1/00 US. Cl. 99-100 8 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Peelersfor cutting and peeling citrus fruit and the like and related methods.Each peeler is formed in one piece and has a holding flange adapted tobe gripped between the fingers of the user, a cutting portion having acutting edge, and a depth gauge flange which regulates the depth of thecut made by the cutting edge. The holding flange and the depth gaugeflange are joined to one another by a weakened or structurally lessresistant bend line so that in one position the two flanges are linearlycontinuous with the cutting edge being closely juxtaposed the opposedflanges whereby the user of the citrus fruit is not advertently cut, andin another position the two flanges are angular with respect to eachother, the cutting edge being situatedin an exposed cutting position.Each peeler may be conveniently releasably attached, as by bonding, tothe citrus fruit so that the peeler and citrus fruit may be convenientlyshipped, stored or carried by a person. The configuration of each peeleris adapted to match the exterior configuration of the fruit so as to beflush therewith when attached thereto.

BACKGROUND Field of invention This invention relates in general to thepeeling of citrus fruits, and in more particular to citrus peelers forcutting and peeling of citrus fruit and related methods.

Prior art Citrus fruit and various vegetables have an outer skin whichprotects the inner meat of the fruit from spoilage and damage. The outerskin of certain fruits and vegetables, such as the apple, are platableand have a desirable taste and, therefore, such fruits are sometimeseaten with the skin intact. However, other fruits including citrusfruits, have a skin that for one reason or another, such as a bittertaste, is not desirable to eat. Fruits (and vegetables) in this lattergroup usually have the skin removed or at least cut so that the innerparts of the fruit may be eaten without having to bite into the skin.

Many fruits make tasty refreshers or snacks, and are often eaten by aperson while away from normal eating facilities, eg at the oflice, whenengaged in such activities as hiking, etc. Heretofore, a person sosituated was required not only to bring the fruit or vegetable alongwith him, but also a suitable instrument such as a knife to cut andremove the skin of the fruit or the like. Without a cutting instrument,the person would usually bite into the skin in order to facilitate itsremoval, and thus received a bitter, or undesirable, taste from theskin.

Oftentimes, when engaged in sports or other activities,

it is cumbersome to carry a cutting instrument. Further, the knife has adangerous edge or point which must be kept sheathed, in order to preventpossible injury to the person carrying it. Also, many times such cuttinginstruments are highly unsanitary. These disadvantages of the cuttinginstrument of the prior art often resulted in the selection of someother refreshment or snack.

BRIEF SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION The disadvantages ofprior art cutting instruments to remove peel from fruit and the likehave been overcome or substantially alleviated by providing the novelpeelers and related methods of the present invention. Each peeler isgenerally flat and has a holding flange which a person may grasp whenusing the peeler and a cutting edge for cutting the skin of the fruitinto sections. The peeler may be relatively small, for example, aboutthe size of a quarter of a dollar. Preferably a guide flange is joinedto the holding flange at a fold or bend line continuous with the cuttingedge which, when folded into angular relation with the holding flange,acts as a guide and a depth gauge when the skin of the fruit is cut bythe cutting edge. The peeler can be adhered to or otherwise suitablyattached to the surface of the fruit in flush relation with the exteriorof the fruit and thus can be conveniently transported prior to use. Whenthe fruit is to be eaten, the peeler can be detached from the fruit andused to remove the skin of the fruit. When the peeler comprises a guideflange, the guide flange protects the adjacent cutting edge to avoidinjury to the fruit or to the user. Thus, the present invention providesconvenient, easily used cutting or peeling devices and methods wherebythe skin of citrus fruit and the like is cut and/or peeled.

It is a primary object of the present invention to provide novel peelersand methods for peeling citrus fruit and the like.

Another important object of the present invention is to provide a novelcompact, and inexpensive cutting implement which is attached to fruitand the like for convenient joint transportation following which theimplement can be detached from and used to cut the skin of the fruit.

-It is a further significant object of this invention to provide a novelpeeler having a cutting edge which is disposed in a safe position priorto use.

Another important object of the present invention is the provision of aunique method for using an instrument to cut and peel fruit.

Another paramount object is the provision of a novel method for packinga peeler with fruit and the like.

These and other objects and features of the present invention willbecome more fully apparent from the following description and appendedclaims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one sideof one presently preferred peeler embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the other side of the embodiment of FIG.1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 1 but with the peeler in abent or folded position;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of one side of a second presently preferredpeeler embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the other side of the peeler of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 4 but with the peeler in abent or folded position;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the peeler of FIG. 1 attached to anorange or other citrus fruit;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 7 with the peeler in thebent configuration being removed from a citrus fruit;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the peeler of FIG. 4 attached to acitrus fruit by a tape;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the peeler of FIG. 1 being used to cutthe skin of a citrus fruit into sections;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the peeler of FIG. 4 being used to cutthe skin of a citrus fruit;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the peeler of FIG. 1 in a bent positionbeing used to separate the peel from the meat of the citrus fruit;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the peeler of FIG. 4, after having beenrestraightened, being used to separate the peel from the meat of thecitrus fruit;

FIGS. 14-17 are fragmentary plan views of various cut ting edges whichmay comprise the peelers of this invention;

FIG. 18 is a perspective view, with parts broken away for clarity ofanother peeler embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 19 is a bottom plan view of the peeler of FIG. 18.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS FIGS. l-3

A first presently preferred peeler according to the pres ent inventionis generally designated 20 and illustrated in FIGS. 1-3. The peeler 20comprises an elongated flat plate having parallel side edges 22 joinedone to another by opposed curved end edges 24. The entire thin peeler 20is spherically curved, the imparting of a suitable curvature preferablybeing accomplished by conventional stamping techniques where metalribbon stock or the like is used or by injection molding techniqueswhere plastic material is used. Fiber or other suitable materialimpregnated with wax, resin or the like may also be used. The curvatureof the peeler 20 has several advantages in that it imparts surprisinglyhigh structural rigidity and strength and also facilitates attachment ofthe peeler to the citrus fruit in flush relation thereto. Thus, thepeeler preferably has a curvature conforming to the spherical curvatureof the exterior surface of citrus fruit having predetermined size. Thepeeler 20, therefore, is convexo, having an outer convex surface 26 (seeFIG. I) and an inner concave surface 28 (see FIG. 2).

One end of the peeler 20 comprises a holding flange, i.e. a handle whichis grasped between the fingers by a person using the peeler. The holdingflange 30 of the peeler 20 terminates at the distal end thereof in acutting portion 32 which has a cutting edge 34. The cutting edge 34 isused to cut the skin or peel of the citrus fruit. The cutting edge 34comprises part of a V-shaped slit 38, which may be formed during moldingwhen plastic is used or by stamping when metal is used.

The peeler 20 also comprises a guide and depth gauge flange 36 which, ashereinafter more fully described, is used to regulate or gauge the depthto which the cutting portion of the peeler penetrates the skin of thecitrus fruit.

Either or both flanges 30 and 36 provide convenient space to displayadvertising information, a trademark or the like.

Advantageously, the cutting edge 34 is initially situated in a protectedposition in close juxtaposition to the guide and depth gauge flange 36so that injury to the user and the fruit is avoided.

The holding flange 30 is integrally joined to the flange 36 at junctures42 which comprise a fold or bend line. The cross sectional area of thetwo junctures 42 is significantly less than a cross sectional area ofeither flange 30 or 36. Thus, the structural strength at 42 isrelatively low so that one flange may be easily rotatably displacedabout the fold line 42 in relation to the other flange to achieve anangular relation of the type illustrated in FIG. 3. If desired, thejuncture or fold line at 42 may be indented or otherwise weakened toaccommodate facile folding in the mentioned manner. The existence ofterminal slits 40 at each end of the V-shaped slits 38 also facilitateseasy bending.

The mentioned bending action not only exposes the cutting edge 34 foruse in removing the skin from the citrus fruit but also orients thedepth gauge flange 36 at a suitable angle to restrict the penetration ofthe point of the cutting edge 34 to a depth less than the distance tothe meat of the citrus fruit.

With specific reference to FIG. 2, the concave surface of the flange 36is illustrated as being coated with an agent 46 by which the peeler 20is attached to the exterior surface of the citrus fruit. While the agent46 may be an adhesive, it is presently preferred that a non-toxic, inertwax be used to securely adhere the peeler to the skin of the citrusfruit. The wax may be suitably applied by placing a liquid or semi-solidbody of wax in the center of the concave area which it will ultimatelycover. By gently pressing the surface upon which the pliable wax hasbeen placed against the exterior surface of the fruit, the wax willspread or flatten to cover the entire desired area. Thus, only oneflange 30 or 36 or both flanges may be so fixed to the fruit. Naturally,the wax should have a melting point greater than temperature encounteredby the fruit both out of doors and indoors. Not only does the waxprotect the fruit against injury but it is also water-resistant andcomplementary to the wax normally placed on the exterior of citrusfruits. Naturally, other techniques can be used to attach the peeler tothe fruit.

FIGS. 4-6

Specific reference is now made to FIG. 4, which illustrates anotherpresently preferred peeler embodiment according to the presentinvention, which is generally designated 50. The peeler 50 is circularin configuration, although generally fiat and thin in its depthdimension. If desired, the peeler 50 may be of a small size, forexample, about the size of a quarter of a dollar. The peeler 50 has asingle continuous peripheral edge 52 which is rounded and of uniformradius. The peeler 52 is also convexo, having a convex surface 54 (FIG.4) and a concave surface 56 (FIG. 5).

'In a manner similar to previous described peeler 20, the peeler 50comprises a holding flange '58 initially generally linearly continuouswith a guide and depth gauge flange 64.

The holding flange has a cutting portion 60* which terminates in acutting edge 62, the cutting edge '62 forming part of the V-shaped slit'66. The V-shaped slit 66 terminates at each end in coaxial slits 68.Thus, the slits 68 and 66 may be regarded, in combination, as acircuitous perforation in the peeler 50.

The holding flange 58 and the guide and depth guage flange 64 are joinedone to another at spaced junctures 70, which together comprise a bend orfold line. In a manner similar to that described in conjunction withpeeler 20, the flange 64 may be rotated about the bend line 70 relativeto the flange 58 to achieve a configuration of the type illustrated inFIG. 6. Thereafter, the peeler 50 may be used as described earlier inconnection with peeler 20. Also, the fabrication of peeler 50 may beattended to in ways consistent with earlier statements made in thisspecification. Once the peeler '50 has been situated in theconfiguration of FIG. 6, both flanges 58 and 64 are and remainessentially rigid and highly resistent to any deformation when used forthe purpose intended.

As shown in FIG. 5, a part (or all) of the concave surface of the peeler50 may be coated with a suitable bonding agent 72, preferably Wax asexplained earlier in this specification.

FIGS. 7-1-2 While peelers according to the present invention can bedistributed separate from the fruit with which they will ultimately beused, it is preferred that a peeler be secured or attached to each pieceof fruit distributed to consumers. In this regard specific reference ismadeto FIG. 7 which illustrates the peeler 20 secured to the outersurface 76 of an orange 78 or the like by bonding agent (not shown).Apart from the separation caused by bonding agent, the inside concavesurface of the peeler 20 fits contiguously against the spherical surfaceof the orange 78. The peeler 20 is, therefore, essentially flush withthe orange 78. In this disposition, the cutting edge 34 is protected bythe linearly-aligned depth guage flange 36. Thus, the initialcleanliness of the cutting edges 34 is normally preserved. Properadherence of the peeler 20 to the orange 78 prevents separation of thetwo during normal handling, shipping, and storage. Also, the spaceoccupied by the peeler and orange in combination is, practicallyspeaking, no greater than the space occupied by the orange alone. Thus,it is as convenient to transport and store the peeler in combinationwith the fruit as it is the fruit by itself.

A person may readily remove the peeler from the fruit by grasping one ofthe flanges, for example, flange 30, as illustrated in FIG. 8. Thepeeler 20is also bent into the previously-mentioned configuration ofFIG. 3, either during removal of the peeler from the fruit or afterward.

If desired, the peeler may be adhered to the surface of the fruitwithout interposing a bonding agent between the fruit and the peeler.For example, a tape 80 with adhesive on the underside (not shown) may beused, as illustrated in FIG. 9 in conjunction with the peeler 50.

Once the peeler has been lifted from the fruit and bent satisfactorilyto expose the cutting edge, the peeler may be used to cut the skin orpeel of the fruit. With reference to FIGS. 10 and 11, the user willordinarily grasp the holding flange between his thumb andpindex fingerand insert the protrusion of the cutting edge into the skin of the fruituntil the depth gauge flange is contiguous with the external surface ofthe skin. The peeler is then moved relative to the fruit in theindicated disposition to make a network of cuts in the skin.Specifically, the skin is shown to have been cut at lines 82 intosections each of which merges with a top circular cut 84. The cuttingedge of the peeler 20 in FIG. 10 is illustrated as being in the processof making a further out 86-.

With reference to FIG. 11, the skin of the orange 78 is shown as beingcut at 90 in a helical configuration using the peeler 50. Naturally, theskin of the orange or other citrus fruit could be cut in various otherways.

As illustrated in FIG. 12, after the skin of the orange 78 has been cutinto segments 98, the peeler, while still in the bent position of FIG. 3may be used to assist in removing the skin from the meat of the fruit.This is achieved by inserting one of the flanges 30 or 36 between theskin and the meat of the fruit and using the peeler as a pry. Any peeleraccording to the present invention may be used in the bent position inthe indicated manner or may be restraightened following cutting of theskin of the fruit and thereafter used as a pry. See FIG. 13.

FIGS. 14-17 While the V-shaped slits 38 and 42, and 66 and 68 areillustrated with respect to peelers 20 and 50, such a configuration isnot critical to the present invention.

Thus, various shapes of the slits can be used each defining a circuitouspath. For example, the slits 100, 102, 104, and 106 of FIGS. 14-17 aresuitable. Each presents aprotrusion which can be used to penetrate theskin and some of which illustrate a generally linear central edge whichwould normally be displaced with the peeler so as to be closely spacedfrom the meat of the fruit. While not illustrated in FIGS. 14-17, eachend of the slots 100, 102, 104, 106 would merge into a bend or foldline, which could comprise indented or weakened portions.

FIGS. 18 and 19 Specific reference is now made to FIGS. 18 and 19 whichillustrate another presently preferred peeler, gen- ,erally designated110. The peeler 110 comprises a holding flange 112 and a depth guageflange 114, similar to the previously described peelers. The flanges 112and 114 are joined one to another along a reduced cross sectional foldor bend line defined as an imaginery axis passing through both ends ofthe slit 118, which partially defines the cutting edge 116, and throughthe base of the two opposed notches 120. Thus, the depth guage flange114 may be relatively rotated about the mentioned bend line with respectto the holding flange 112 to configurate the peeler 110 for use as acutting instrument in the previously mentioned manner.

The peeler 110 has a rolled edge 122 which is formed in a conventionalway, as for example, by using thin wall metal and rolling the metal uponitself along the edge. As illustrated in FIG. 19, the rolled edge 122 isinterrupted adjacent the two notches so that the rolled edge does notencumber the described bending action. If desired, a peeler according tothe present invention may be conventionally stamped to produce a coinedge.

With some materials and under some circumstances, for the attachmentmedium (such as wax or adhesive) to function properly, it may benecessary to specially treat the surface of the peeler against which theattachment medium is to be placed. Conventional roughening, edging andlike techniques can be utilized.

Each disclosed peeler is readily disposable and inexpensive and,therefore, may be thrown away following use.

The invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departingfrom the spirit or other essential characteristics thereof. The presentembodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects asillustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention beingindicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoingdescription, and all changes which come within the meaning and range ofequivalency of the claims are therefore to 'be embraced therein.

What is claimed and desired to be secured by United States LettersPatent is:

1. In combination, a citrus fruit and a peeler releasably secured byattachment means to the exterior surface of the fruit, the peelercomprising a thin-wall plate slightly concave in configuration to matchthe exterior surface of the fruit, the plate being divided by circuitousperforation means and a fold line into first and second sections, onesection providing a peel-cutting edge at the perforation means and theother section serving as a guide which is displaced along the exteriorsurface as the cutting edge cuts the citrus peel after the peeler isreleased from the fruit and the first and second sections are bent alongthe fold line into angular relation.

2. A combination as defined in claim 1 wherein the attachement meanscomprises a wax which is non-toxic and which has a softening pointhigher than the normal ambient temperature range encountered by citrusfruit, the attachment means being interposed between the peeler and theexterior surface of the fruit.

3. A combination as defined in claim 1 wherein the attachment meanscomprises an adhesive interposed between the peeler and the exteriorsurface of the fruit.

4. A combination as defined in claim 1 wherein the attachment meanscomprises a tape bridging between the peeler and the exterior surface ofthe fruit and adhering to each by a bonding agent.

5. A combination as defined in claim 1 wherein the thin-wall plate isformed of metal, impregnated material or plastic. 7

6. A combination as defined in claim 1 wherein the guide sectioncomprises a depth gauge regulating the distance the cutting edge canpenetrate into the citrus peel.

7. A combination as defined in claim 1 wherein the fold line is disposedalong a single axis and comprises a structurally weakened portion of thethin-Wall plate.

8. In combination, a citrus fruit and a peeler releasably secured byattachment means to the exterior surface of the fruit, the peelercomprising a thin-wall plate slightly concave in configuration to matchthe exterior surface of the fruit, the plate providing a peel-cuttingedge adapted to be displaced along the exterior surface of the fruit toI cut the citrus peel after the peeler is released from the fruit.

References Cited WILLIE G. ABERCROMBIE, Primary Examiner U.S. Cl. X.R.146-3 R

